Hello Bill,

I agree with so much of what Ally wrote. 

Handing out prescriptions is the easiest means for overworked doctors to treat their patients.  Unfortunately, I don't believe the medications do a whole lot other than mask the symptoms.  They don't get to the root causes of the problems. 

Many causes are physiological, but I don't believe they can be dealt with until the psychological problems are addressed.  We have to understand how one affects the other.

I speak from experience having been diagnosed as having an "inbetween" bi-polar disorder.  I've written about this in my profile and in the All About Depression in the Grapevine forum.  I wrote about my experience with medications there. 

Giving kids medications for ADD ADDHD, anxiety, depression, etc in my way of thinking is just plain wrong. 

I know personally of a case where an 18 year old was given Prozac and told not to drink alcohol while taking it ... this particular teenager had a problem with alcohol ... do you think he listened? 

People need help ... not medication.

Please Note:  I do understand there are some cases that really do need the medication, but I believe there are a lot less than what the stats show for the numbers who are taking prescription drugs.  In Canada the number of children on prescription drugs is astounding.

Sincerely,

Terry

Hello Terry

   Thank you for stopping by here and sharing your thoughts and feelings.

   I agree with you 100% that we as a society are being way over medicated. Also with what you said about treating the symptoms but not the underlying causes.

    It is very late here now and I am very tired but, I will be back here very soon with some good information. Please check back and stay active here if you can. A lot of people read my mental health forums but do not say much. You could really be helping someone a lot by sharing your story. thanks again Terry and have a great night.